Amaterasu

Amaterasu is the goddess of the sun in Japanese mythology. She is one of the most important deities in Shinto, and is considered to be the ruler of the heavenly realm Takamagahara. Amaterasu is also the mythical ancestress of the Imperial House of Japan, and her grandson Ninigi is said to be the first emperor. Amaterasu's chief place of worship is the Grand Shrine of Ise in Ise, Mie Prefecture. This shrine is one of Shinto's holiest sites, and is a major pilgrimage center and tourist spot. Amaterasu is also enshrined in a number of other Shinto shrines throughout Japan.